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Beginning today, Palm Beach State College’s Dr. Jean Wihbey, Lake Worth campus provost and vice president for workforce development, will participate in a national leadership program aimed at developing a new cadre of outstanding leaders to transform community college student success.

Wihbey, along with 39 other participants, were awarded the prestigious Aspen Presidential Fellowship for Community College Excellence by The Aspen Institute earlier this year.

The program, delivered in collaboration with the Stanford Educational Leadership Initiative and top community college leaders, focuses on a new vision of leadership and aims to guide new and aspiring community college presidents to dramatically change student outcomes in four areas: learning; completion while in community college and of bachelor’s degrees after transfer; employment and earnings after graduation; and equitable access and success for underrepresented minority and low-income students.

The Fellows are at Stanford University this week and will meet throughout the next year to learn about specific data to assess student success, as well as essential elements of internal change leadership and external partnerships leaders can use to advance student outcomes.

“As a leader at Palm Beach State, Dr. Wihbey has been instrumental in developing and implementing innovative strategies and programs that enhance student success,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker. “Her selection as an Aspen Presidential Fellow is a testament to the effectiveness of her student-centered philosophy and her commitment to strengthening the college system.”

The 2017-18 Aspen Presidential Fellows hail from 24 states and 38 community colleges of varying sizes. Wihbey was selected through a rigorous process that considered her abilities to take strategic risks, lead strong teams and cultivate partnerships and focus on results-oriented improvements in student success and access.

At the College, Wihbey is responsible for providing leadership and inspiration to a campus of over 19,000 students and hundreds of employees to ensure that its culture is vibrant and welcoming. She assesses the quality and relevance of the campus’ academic programs, oversees campus operational activities, and leads through encouraging ideas and strong relationships. Wihbey offers a progressive academic vision and leadership that maintains a highly collaborative, student-centered environment.

She believes in and enjoys community service and is actively involved in the PGA Corridor Association Board of Directors as past president, the Executive Women of the Palm Beaches Board of Directors and the Palm Beach North Chamber of Commerce Women in Business Steering Council, among others.

The Aspen Institute is an educational and policy studies organization. Its mission is to foster leadership based on enduring values and to provide a nonpartisan venue for dealing with critical issues.